Automatic e-mail transmitting method and mobile terminal apparatus and radio mobile terminal apparatus for the same

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002The present invention relates to an e-mail transmitting method, a radio mobile terminal apparatus and mobile terminal apparatus for the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an e-mail transmitting method, a radio mobile terminal apparatus and a mobile terminal apparatus, in which e-mails are automatically transmitted from the radio mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone with which the mobile terminal apparatus can be connected, and the e-mails are automatically transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus and then are automatically transmitted from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to a mail server.

00032. Description of the Related Art

0004In recent years, a mobile phone as a radio mobile terminal apparatus has been popular to the extent that the number of mobile phones exceeds the number of fixed type telephones which are connected with telephone lines. Moreover the mobile phone has an e-mail transmitting function and a function for connecting with the Internet, and can achieve a communication function other than a telephone function. In the mobile phone, an e-mail is produced using keys provided for the operation surface of the mobile phone. The keys are Kana characters, alphanumeric characters, or symbols. However, the production of a sentence using a limited number of keys (for example, 12 keys) is complicated for a user who is not familiar with a key operation.

0005Also, a mobile terminal apparatus such as PDA is commercially available which has a keyboard with the size and the number of keys suitable for character input, and a relatively large display, compared with the mobile phone. The mobile terminal apparatus has a memo book function, a schedule managing function, a calendar function, and a word processor function but has no radio section for connection with a base station. By connecting the mobile terminal apparatus with the radio mobile terminal apparatus such as the mobile phone, the produced e-mail can be transferred to the mobile phone.

0006For example, in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-49965A), a transmitting and receiving card can be attached to both of a mobile phone and an e-mail terminal. An e-mail is produced in the e-mail terminal to which the transmitting and receiving card is attached, and when the transmitting and receiving card is attached to the mobile phone after the e-mail is stored in the transmitting and receiving card, the e-mail is automatically transmitted from the mobile phone when a good electromagnetic wave situation is confirmed.

0007Also, in case of the radio mobile terminal apparatus such as the mobile phone, there is a case that a middle portion of the speech is pulled-out or broken during the conversation and a part of data is passed away or a part of the e-mail is not transmitted in the data transmission. For this reason, in an e-mail method and a radio communication apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 11-169320) and the Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-201223A), electric wave situation is monitored, the e-mail transmission is interrupted or suspended, when the electric wave situation is degraded, and the transmission is restarted or the e-mail is retransmitted when the electric wave situation is improved.

0008However, according to the conventional e-mail transmitting method, when the e-mail produced by the e-mail terminal or mobile terminal apparatus is transmitted, the e-mail terminal is connected with the radio mobile terminal apparatus, and an operation is carried out to receive the e-mail. Then, a key operation is carried out, and an operation is carried out to transmit the e-mail to a server. The key operations in this case are required in both of the e-mail terminal and the radio mobile terminal apparatus, and the twice operation is required for transmission and reception. Therefore, the operability is very bad.

0009Also, according to Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-49965A), it is necessary that both of the e-mail terminal and the radio mobile terminal apparatus have functions to enable the transmitting and receiving cards to be attached. Therefore, models of the e-mail terminal and radio mobile terminal apparatus are restricted.

0010In Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 11-169320) and Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-201223A), the improvement of the reliability of the e-mail transmission in the only radio mobile terminal apparatus is aimed and there is no description about an elimination plan of the problem when the e-mail terminal is connected.

0011Also, a portable communication system is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-181822A). In this reference, a portable data transmitting and receiving terminal apparatus has a communication section for carrying out radio communicating with another terminal automatically, a temporary storage section for storing received data at least, and a display section for displaying the receive data at least. A processing section automatically transmits the data stored in the temporary storage section to the other terminal existing in a communication possible area of the communication section, and automatically receives the data transmitted from the other terminal in the communication possible area to store in the temporary storage section. The processing section controls the display section to display the data stored in the temporary storage section.

0012Also, an e-mail terminal system is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-Heisei 7-79248). In this reference, the mobile terminal is composed of a an e-mail terminal main body which transmits and receives an e-mail to and from a center through a channel, a reception memory provided to have a connection or no connection with the main body and to store the received e-mail, a display panel, and a display processing section for displaying the e-mail on the display panel. When the mobile terminal is connected with the e-mail terminal main body, the main body connects a channel with the center and receives an e-mail with a destination ID for the mobile terminal to store in the memory. When the mobile terminal is separated from the main body, the display processing section displays the e-mail on the display panel in response to an instruction.

0013Also, a radio e-mail system is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P2000-201223A). In this reference, a mobile e-mail terminal has a radio wave monitoring section, and stops or interrupts the transmission of an e-mail when the monitoring section detects bad radio wave state during or in the transmission of the e-mail and re-transmits the e-mail after the radio wave state becomes good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0014Therefore, an object of the present invention is provide an e-mail transmitting method in which a mobile terminal apparatus which has an e-mail producing function and an e-mail managing function but does not have a radio section is connected with a radio mobile terminal apparatus and a process for the e-mail transmission is automatically carried out.

0015Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a radio mobile terminal apparatus which automatically transmits produced e-mails and automatically transmits received e-mails to a mail server, when a mobile terminal apparatus which has an e-mail producing function and an administrating function but does not have a radio section is connected.

0016Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal in which an e-mail transmitting process is automatically carried out when it is connected with a radio mobile terminal apparatus and e-mail data is transmitted.

0017In an aspect of the present invention, an e-mail transmitting method is achieved by (a) connecting a radio mobile terminal apparatus and a mobile terminal apparatus to establish a communication channel therebetween, the radio mobile terminal apparatus having a radio communication function; by (b) detecting the establishment of the communication channel between the mobile terminal apparatus and the radio mobile terminal apparatus; by (c) automatically transmitting transmission scheduled e-mails produced in the mobile terminal apparatus, from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus through the communication channel in response to the detection of the establishment of the communication channel; and by (d) automatically transmitting the transmission scheduled e-mails received from the mobile terminal apparatus, from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to a mail server through a base station using the radio communication function.

0018Here, the (a) connecting step may include the step of: connecting the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the mobile terminal apparatus by connectors directly or through a cable.

0019Also, the communication channel may be one of a radio channel, an infrared ray channel, a visible light beam channel, and a supersonic wave channel.

0020The (c) automatically transmitting step may be achieved by (e) transmitting a request signal from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus in response to the detection of the establishment of the communication channel; by (f) transmitting an acceptance reply from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to the mobile terminal apparatus in response to reception of the request; and by (g) automatically transmitting the transmission scheduled e-mails from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus.

0021The (f) transmitting step may be achieved by checking whether the radio mobile terminal apparatus is in a service area of the base station; and by transmitting the acceptance reply from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to the mobile terminal apparatus in response to reception of the request, when it is determined that the radio mobile terminal apparatus is in a service area of the base station.

0022In this case, the (f) transmitting step further may be achieved by transmitting a refusal replay from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to the mobile terminal apparatus in response to the reception of the request, when it is determined that the radio mobile terminal apparatus is not in a service area of the base station; and by stopping the transmission of the transmission scheduled e-mails from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus.

0023The (d) automatically transmitting the received transmission scheduled e-mails further may include the step of: storing the received transmission scheduled e-mails in the radio mobile terminal apparatus.

0024In another aspect of the present invention, a radio mobile terminal apparatus includes a coupling device, a detecting unit, a first communication section, a second communication section, a memory and a control unit. The coupling device connects the radio mobile terminal apparatus with an external apparatus such that a communication channel is established between the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the external apparatus. The detecting unit detects the establishment of the communication channel between the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the external apparatus. The first communication section communicates with the external apparatus through the communication channel. The second communication section has an antenna and communicates with a mail server through the antenna and a base station. The control unit receives scheduled e-mails from the external apparatus by the first communication section to store in the memory when the detecting unit detects the establishment of the communication channel by the coupling device, and transmits the stored e-mails to the mail server by the second communication section when the reception of the transmission scheduled e-mails are completed.

0025Here, the radio mobile terminal apparatus further may include an area determining section which determines whether the radio mobile terminal apparatus is in a service area of the base station. In this case, the control unit may control the first communication section to receive the transmission scheduled e-mails from the external apparatus, when it is determined by the area determining unit that the radio mobile terminal apparatus is in the service area of the base station. Also, the control unit may control the first communication section to refuse the reception of the transmission scheduled e-mails from the external apparatus when it is determined by the area determining section that the radio mobile terminal apparatus is not in the service area of the base station.

0026Also, the communication channel may be either one of a radio channel, an infrared ray channel, a visible light beam channel, and a supersonic wave channel.

0027In further another aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal apparatus includes a coupling device, a detecting unit, a communication section, a memory, a key operation section, and a control unit. The coupling device connects the mobile terminal apparatus with a radio mobile terminal apparatus such that a communication channel is established between the radio mobile terminal and the external apparatus. The detecting unit detects the establishment of the communication channel between the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the external apparatus. The communication section communicates with the external apparatus through the communication channel. The key operation section inputs characters. The control unit produces each of e-mails based on characters and storing the produced e-mails in the memory as transmission scheduled e-mails, and automatically reads out the transmission scheduled e-mails from the memory to transmit to the radio mobile terminal apparatus when the establishment of the communication channel is detected by the detecting unit, and a reply to a request is returned from the radio mobile terminal apparatus, the request having been transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus.

0028Also, the control unit stops the transmission of the transmission scheduled e-mails when the reply is not returned from the radio mobile terminal apparatus.

0029Also, the communication channel may be either one of a radio channel, an infrared ray channel, a visible light beam channel, and a supersonic wave channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of a mobile terminal apparatus according to the present invention;

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of a radio mobile terminal apparatus according to the present invention;

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is timing charts showing a sequence of data transmission between the mobile terminal apparatus and the radio mobile terminal apparatus of the present invention;

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart showing the operation of a control unit of the mobile terminal apparatus when the radio mobile terminal apparatus is connected through a connector;

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flow chart showing the operation of a control unit of the radio mobile terminal apparatus when it is connected with the mobile terminal apparatus;

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flow chart showing another operation of the control unit of the radio mobile terminal apparatus when it is connected with the mobile terminal apparatus; and

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the mobile terminal apparatus corresponding to the operation of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0037Hereinafter, an e-mail transmitting method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows the circuit structure of a mobile terminal apparatus of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the circuit structure of a radio mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone of the present invention.

0039As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> as an external apparatus is composed of an input section <b>101</b>, a key input detecting section <b>102</b>, a display section <b>103</b>, an e-mail storage section <b>104</b>, a display driver <b>105</b>, a control unit <b>106</b>, a connector section <b>107</b>, a connection detecting section <b>108</b> and a transmitting and receiving interface section <b>109</b>. Here, an external interface module <b>110</b> is formed by the connector section <b>107</b>, the connection detecting section <b>108</b> and the transmitting and receiving interface section <b>109</b>.

0040The input section <b>101</b> is composed of plurality of keys to enable a user to easily carry out a character inputting operation, and is used when the character inputting operation and a storing operation of a produced e-mail are carried out. The key input detecting section <b>102</b> determines which key of the input section <b>101</b> is pushed and outputs the content to the control unit <b>106</b>. The display section <b>103</b> carries out the displays of characters inputted by the input section <b>101</b> and an operation of storage of the e-mail data.

0041The e-mail storage section <b>104</b> stores the produced e-mail, and transmission scheduled e-mail data <b>104</b><i>a </i>(of transmission scheduled e-mails 1 to N which are automatically transmitted when the connection with the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is established) and draft e-mail data <b>104</b><i>b </i>(of draft e-mails 1 to N which are not automatically transmitted). The attributes of the transmission scheduled e-mail data <b>104</b><i>a </i>and draft e-mail data <b>104</b><i>b </i>are specified through the input section <b>101</b> by the user every time the user stores the produced e-mail, and separately is stored in the e-mail storage section <b>104</b>.

0042The control unit <b>106</b> controls the identification of the inputted character and the display of the inputted character through the display driver <b>105</b> based on the detection result by the key detecting section <b>102</b>. Also, the control unit <b>106</b> has a word processor function to produce an e-mail, and stores the produced e-mail in the e-mail storage section <b>104</b> in accordance with the attribute specified by the user using the input section <b>101</b>.

0043The connection detecting section <b>108</b> detects whether or not a connector is engaged with the connector section <b>107</b>, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit <b>106</b> when detecting the connection. The transmitting and receiving interface section (hereinafter, to be referred to as a “transmitting and receiving IF section”) <b>109</b> outputs the data received externally through the connector section <b>107</b> to the control unit <b>106</b>. In addition, the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>109</b> transmits the data outputted from the control unit <b>106</b>, to the outside of the apparatus through the connector section <b>107</b>.

0044Next, the circuit structure of the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> will be described. Here, the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> will be described using a mobile phone with an e-mail transmitter function as an example.

0045The mobile phone is composed of an antenna <b>201</b>, a radio section <b>202</b>, a control unit <b>203</b>, a level determining section (electric field strength detecting section) <b>204</b>, an out-of-area detecting section <b>205</b>, a speaker <b>206</b>, a driver <b>207</b>, a connector section <b>208</b>, a connection detecting section <b>209</b>, a transmitting and receiving IF section <b>210</b>, an e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> such as a semiconductor memory, an integrated circuit memory, a hard disk or the like, an e-mail managing section <b>212</b>, a display driver <b>213</b>, a display section <b>214</b>, an input section <b>215</b> and a key input detecting section <b>216</b>. The connector section <b>208</b>, the connection detecting section <b>209</b> and the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>210</b> form an external interface module <b>217</b>.

0046The radio section <b>202</b> amplifies and demodulates a signal received by the antenna <b>201</b>, and outputs to the control unit <b>203</b>. Also, the radio section <b>202</b> modulates a signal supplied from the control unit <b>203</b> as transmission data, and outputs to the antenna <b>201</b> as a transmission output, after carrying out necessary processing. The level determining section <b>204</b> A/D-converts analog reception electric field strength outputted from the radio section <b>202</b> by an internal analog-to-digital converter, and outputs to the out-of-area detecting section <b>205</b> as a reception electric field value. The out-of-area detecting section <b>205</b> compares the output of the level determining section <b>204</b> and a previously set out-of-area threshold and detects whether or not the mobile phone is in a service area. When either of the reception electric field values from a base station or base stations around this base station is higher than the threshold, the mobile phone is determined to be in the service area. When all of reception electric fields from the base stations are lower than the threshold, the mobile phone is determined to be out of the service area.

0047The control unit <b>203</b> manages the transmission and reception of communication data, in addition to the designation of a radio channel to radio section <b>202</b> and the control of operation timings. Also, the control unit <b>203</b> carries out the connection control with a mail server (not shown) on a network such as the Internet (not shown). Also, the control unit <b>203</b> executes the transmitting and receiving control of data with the mail server. Also, the control unit <b>203</b> drives the speaker <b>206</b> to generate a call arrival notice sound when detecting that there is a call arrival and data of the mobile phone based on the demodulated data from the radio section <b>202</b>. The driver <b>207</b> drives the speaker <b>206</b>. The frequency and sound volume of the arrival notice sound are set by the control unit <b>203</b>. The received e-mail is displayed on the display section <b>214</b> by the display driver <b>213</b>. Moreover, the control unit <b>203</b> displays the determining result of whether the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> is in the service area or out of the service area at present, on the display section <b>214</b> with characters or a picture by the display driver <b>213</b> based on the output of the out-of-area detecting section <b>205</b> to inform to the user.

0048The connection detecting section <b>209</b> detects that the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> is connected when the connector section <b>107</b> of the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> is engaged with the connector section <b>208</b>. The connection detecting section <b>209</b> outputs a detection signal to the control unit <b>203</b>, when detecting the connection. The transmitting and receiving IF section <b>210</b> transmits received data from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> to the control unit <b>203</b> through the connector <b>208</b>. The control unit <b>203</b> stores the received data in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b>. The e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> executes a storing process until all the received e-mail data are stored. The e-mail managing section <b>212</b> is composed of a storage medium which stores the already transmitted e-mails <b>212</b><i>a</i>, received e-mails <b>212</b><i>b </i>received from the mail server and yet untransmitted e-mails <b>212</b><i>c </i>which are failed in the transmission.

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a sequence of data transmission between the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> and the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> of the present invention.

0050First, a data transmission request signal <b>301</b> is transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> to the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> to indicate the request of data transmission. The radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> transmits back a data transmission reply signal <b>302</b> as a reply signal to the received request signal. Next, the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> starts the transmission of e-mails <b>303</b> after the reception of the data transmission reply signal.

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows the operation of the control unit <b>106</b> when the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> of the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> are connected by the connector <b>107</b> and the connector <b>208</b>. In the figure, S means a step.

0052First, when the connection detection signal is received from the connection detecting section <b>108</b> (S<b>401</b>), it is checked whether the e-mail data (transmission scheduled e-mail 1–N) of the transmission schedule attribute exists in the e-mail storage section <b>104</b> (S<b>402</b>). On the other hand, when the e-mail data of the transmission schedule attribute does not exist, the control procedure is ended. Also, when the e-mail data of the transmission schedule attribute exists, the control unit <b>106</b> transmits the data transmission request signal from the connector section <b>107</b> through the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>109</b> (S<b>403</b>). Moreover, when the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>109</b> receives the data transmission reply signal through the connector section <b>107</b> (S<b>404</b>), all of the e-mail data with the transmission schedule attribute stored in the e-mail storage section <b>104</b> are transmitted (S<b>405</b>).

0053In accordance with the procedure shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> can transmit the e-mail data after preparation is finished on the side of the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>. Thus, the occurrence of data defect in the transmitted e-mail data can be prevented.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the operation of the control unit <b>203</b> when the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> is connected with the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>.

0055When receiving the data transmission request signal <b>301</b> from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> (S<b>502</b>) after the connection is detected by the connection detecting section <b>209</b> (S<b>501</b>), the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> transmits the e-mail transmission reply signal <b>302</b> (S<b>503</b>). Thus, the transmission of the e-mail data is started from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> and is received by the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>. The received e-mail data are temporarily stored in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> (S<b>504</b>). Until reception of all the e-mail data ends, the processes of data reception and storage are continued (S<b>505</b>). When the reception of all the e-mail data ends, the e-mail data stored in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> are read out (S<b>506</b>) and transmitted to a mail server (S<b>507</b>). When the e-mail transmission to the mail server ends normally (S<b>508</b>), the e-mail is stored in the e-mail managing section <b>212</b> as the already transmitted e-mail (S<b>509</b>). When the e-mail transmission is extraordinarily ended due to a factor of electric wave situation, the e-mail is stored in the e-mail managing section <b>212</b> as the yet untransmitted e-mails (S<b>510</b>). When there is the next e-mail in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> (S<b>510</b>), the next e-mail is read out from the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> (S<b>512</b>), and the transmission of this e-mail is carried out (S<b>507</b>). While the e-mails exist in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b>, the process from S<b>507</b> to S<b>512</b> is repeatedly executed, and the e-mail transmission process ends when all the e-mails in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> have been transmitted.

0056According to the process of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, when the connection detection is determined, the transmission of the e-mail data is automatically started from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b>, and the e-mail data are stored in the e-mail temporary storage section <b>211</b> of the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>. When the reception ends, the e-mail transmission to the mail server is automatically started, if the electric wave situation is good. Thus, the transmission of the e-mail data from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the e-mail transmission from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to the mail server are automatically carried out. Therefore, the key operation of the user can be omitted, and the convenience of the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> and the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> are improved.

0057<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows another process example of the control unit <b>203</b> when the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> is connected with the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>. Steps S<b>607</b> to S<b>613</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> correspond to S<b>507</b> to S<b>512</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and these steps are identical. Therefore, the same description is omitted.

0058When receiving the data transmission request signal <b>301</b> from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> (S<b>602</b>) after the detection of the connection (S<b>601</b>), the control unit <b>203</b> of the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> determines whether the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> is in the service area or out of the service area based on the output of the out-of-area detecting section <b>205</b> (S<b>603</b>). In case of being in the service area, the e-mail transmission reply signal <b>302</b> is transmitted through the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>210</b> and the connector section <b>208</b> (S<b>604</b>). Hereinafter, the control procedure is the same as the procedure of S<b>504</b> and subsequent steps. On the other hand, in case of being out of the service area, an e-mail transmission refusal signal is transmitted from the connector section <b>208</b> through the transmitting and receiving IF section <b>210</b> and the e-mail data is not received from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> (S<b>613</b>).

0059According to the process of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, when the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> is out of the service area, the e-mail cannot be transmitted at once. Therefore, when an e-mail data is transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b>, the available memory area is decreased and the use efficiency of the memory is lowered. However, the above-mentioned problem is improved if transmission data is inhibited when the radio mobile terminal apparatus is out of the service area.

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows the process of the control unit <b>103</b> in the data transmission from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> to the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> which corresponds to the process of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. The description of the same portions of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> as those of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> are omitted, and the portion which is different from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is described. When receiving the data transmission reply signal (S<b>705</b>) after transmitting the data transmission request signal at S<b>703</b>, the transmission of the e-mails is started (S<b>704</b>). When the data transmission refusal signal is received (S<b>706</b>), the transmission of the e-mails is not carried out (S<b>707</b>).

0061According to the process of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, when the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> is out of the service area and cannot transmit the e-mails to the mail server, the transmission of the e-mails from the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> is inhibited. Thus, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of the yet untransmitted e-mail data in the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b>.

0062In the above embodiment, it is supposed that the connection of the mobile terminal apparatus <b>100</b> and the radio mobile terminal apparatus <b>200</b> is achieved using the connector sections <b>107</b> and <b>208</b>. However, another connection means may be employed with contact or with no contact. For example, the connection means of a non-contact system (wireless system) using infrared rays, visible ray, feeble electric wave, or supersonic wave may be employed. In this case, the connection detection is carried out by not mechanical or electric connection but a connection request and its reply.

0063Also, even when the connector sections <b>107</b> and <b>208</b> are used for the connection, the structure in which the connectors are fixed to the main bodies may be used. Instead, the structure in which one of the connectors is fixed to the main body, and the other connector provided in an end portion of a cable which is always connected with the other main body.

0064Moreover, a PDA is shown as the external apparatus or the mobile terminal apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to the PDA. For example, a personal computer may be used.

0065As seen from the above, according to the e-mail transmitting method of the present invention, when the radio mobile terminal apparatus and the mobile terminal apparatus are connected through the connection means, the e-mail data are automatically transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus to the radio mobile terminal apparatus, when the connection is detected. Also, the e-mail data received from the mobile terminal apparatus are automatically transmitted from the radio mobile terminal apparatus to the mail server. Therefore, the user operation is not almost needed, and the troublesome operation in the e-mail transmission is eliminated and it becomes possible to carry out the e-mail transmission simply and easily.

0066Also, according to the radio mobile terminal apparatus of the present invention, the radio mobile terminal apparatus is composed of the connection means, the detecting section, the communication means, the memory means and the control means, and when connection with an external apparatus through the connection means is detected, the transmission of e-mail data from the external apparatus is permitted. Also, when the e-mail data are automatically transmitted to the mail server when the reception of the e-mail data is completed. Therefore, the user operation is not almost needed, and the troublesome operation in the e-mail transmission is eliminated. Thus, the operation convenience of the radio mobile terminal apparatus can be improved.

0067Moreover, according to the mobile terminal apparatus of the present invention, the mobile terminal apparatus is composed of the e-mail data producing function, the communication function, the memory means, the connection means and the detecting means, and when the establishment of the connection is detected by the detecting means, and a reply is returned to the data transmission request which has transmitted to the radio mobile terminal apparatus, the control means is provided for to automatically transmit the e-mail data stored in the memory means. Therefore, the processing of the e-mail transmission (transfer) can be automated, in case of the connection with the radio mobile terminal apparatus. Also, the troublesome operation in the e-mail transmission is eliminated, and the operation convenience of the radio mobile terminal apparatus can be improved.